Chandra Upreti is a dedicated advocate for refugee rights and resettlement. Born in Bhutan, he experienced displacement at a young age, fleeing to Nepal as a refugee.

After spending 17 years in Refugee Camps, Chandra was eventually resettled in Twin Falls, Idaho, where he found a new home and purpose.

With over a decade of experience in refugee resettlement, Chandra was recently named the field office director of the resettlement agency in Twin Falls, which is affiliated with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.

Chandra also serves on the board of directors for nonprofits including the Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho, EveryBody House, and Housing Coalition Region 4.

Chandra holds a bachelor's degree in Human Resources and a Master of Business Administration from Idaho State University. He and his wife own the Saffron Indian Cuisine restaurant in Twin Falls.

Sangam Kumari has experienced many transitions in her life. When she was 4 years old, her family moved from India to Nepal. She took an even bigger leap at the age of 8, moving without her family to America with a family friend. Sangam’s career has also transitioned from environmental engineering, in which she has a Ph.D., to social work, where she feels a true heart calling. She’s currently earning her master’s degree in social work from Boise State. Six years ago, Sangam transitioned into motherhood.

She has also experienced the transition from a collectivist to an individualistic society, and learning to hold space for both. She is the first to say she is still on the journey of finding herself and her community. Sangam shares her insights and ongoing learnings with us in today’s episode. She will also lead a workshop at the Idaho Office for Refugees’ upcoming conference, the Northwest Conference on Resettlement, focused on gentle yoga and meditation techniques in the lens of conscious, compassionate community.